Sketch of Chesterfield, N.H. "Township no. one", and history of the Congregational church from 1770 to 1900

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Rev. Chas. N. Sinnett

Sketch of Chesterfield, N.H.
and History
of the
Congregational Church

1770 to 1900.

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rOWNSHIP NO. ONE"

AND HISTORY

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1770 TO 1900.

13V REV. CHftS. N. SINNETT.

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HAVERHILL. MASS.,

C. C. MORSE & SON.

1902.

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CHESTEREIELD, N. H.

"TOWNSHIP NO. ONE"

AND HISTORY

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1770 TO 1900.

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BY REV. CHA5. N. SINNETT.

HAVERHILL MASS.,

C. C. MORSE & SON.

1902.

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Historical Sermon of the First Congregational
Church of Chesterfield, N. II.

It seems clear that the First Congregational Church
of Chesterfield, N. H., was organized in 1771. The
oldest records of the church were lost, and so the special
date of that year cannot be given. It is also certain
that a church building was erected before March, 1770.

It is also quite as clear that Col. Josiah Willard,
the leading grantee of the town, caused the church to
be built on a large and hopeful plan, and that he then
presented it to the town. But, be that as it may, it is
certain that the frame was covered and the building fin-
ished at the expense of the town, as is shown in the rec-
ords. It would then appear that the wise plans of a
friend were heartily entered into by those who felt that
their new homes, even among the beauties of these hills
and beside the shining river, would not be truly home-
like unless the Lord's house crowned the hill, in the
center of the town. That they builded well is shown
by the description of the church and the examination of
others like it which are still left in other New England
towns. For upwards of four score years it stood, and
bitter was the cry in the town when the people were
rudely awakened to hear the roar of the west wind upon
the hill and above it the cry of " Fire! Fire! Save the
Church!" But it could not be saved; the evil hand had
done its work well ; already tongues of fire leaped toward

the tall spire in their mad haste. On the doomed build-
ing rested the pall of smoke; and fiercer came the gusts
of wind from the cold, icy mountains of March.

The first day in March, 185 1, was vividly stamped
on the minds of those dwelling in the old town. Many
are the times we have heard the story of the fire, which
swept away that place of so many hallowed memories.
But you have as clearly heard the description of the
building, and of many stirring scenes within that you
have been made aware that never can fire or flood de-
stroy that which hath been builded in the name of the
Lord. The frame-work may vanish in smoke and ashes
but that which is of more value than many sub struct-
ures stays in the heart for its continual joy and strength.

A fine picture of this old church has recently been
made from a sketch of Judge Hoyt H. Wheeler of Brat-
tleboro, Vt. It was exhibited at our recent Old Home
Week celebration. We hope that a copy of it may soon
be placed in our Town Hall.

The best printed description of this sacred place is
by our careful historian, Oren A. Randall. "This
meeting-house, or the old meeting-house as it was called
after the new one was built, was, till 1830 the only meet-
ino--house in the town : it stood about thirty-five feet
south of the present town-house and was about sixty feet
long and forty-five feet wide. It was two stories high,
with two rows of windows and had a projecting bell tow-
er on the west end, originally however, as appears from
the records of the town, there was a porch on the west
end also, but no bell tower; for, June 2, 181 5, a commit-
tee was chosen to sell 'pew ground' in the meeting-house,
remove the west porch of the same, and use the pro-
ceeds to build a belfry, according to a vote passed by
the town, March 10, 1807. A bell was also purchased
and placed in the belfry. This bell, in accordance with

3

a vole oi the town, passed May 12, 1816, was rung on
week days at noon and at nine o'clock in the evening.

The principal entrance to the building was at the
middle of the south side. From this entrance a broad
aisle led to the pulpit, which was located in the middle
of the north side of the building, at an elevation of sev-
eral feet above the ground floor. Above the pulpit hung
the sounding board, and in front of it on the ground
floor was an enclosed seat called the Deacon's seat.
There was also a row of square pews next to the wall
extending entirely around the inside of the house, except
at the entrance passages and where the pulpit stood.
The other pews, below, were arranged about in the same
order as they usually were in meeting-houses of the last
century. In front of the outer row of pews, or wall pews
as they were called, was a continuous aisle; above, there
was a gallery on the east and west side ends, and south
side, with rows of pews. For very many years there
was no stove in the building, except the foot-stoves
that some of the worshippers used to carry to church
with them in cold weather, and which were replenished
during the intermission, with live coals at the neighbor-
ing houses. As early as 1780 the town voted to allow
horse sheds to be built on the north side of the common
near the meeting-house; and in 1804, to allow certain
persons to build sheds along the west side of the old
graveyard. Between the east end of the meeting-house
and the graveyard was a large horse block, an indispen-
sable thing in the days when the women as well as the
men used to go to church on horseback.

Such was the place to which the fathers and mothers
and the little ones came from the scattered farms and log
houses in the villages and on the hills, for all must go to
church in those clays; even those who were somewhat
feeble there was made a Sabbath pathway to the church.

It had been well planned that the tall tower of the church
should catch the eyes of all from near and far. The tone
of the big bell was so clear that even deaf ears were loth
to give an excuse that it was too late for church, for they
had not heard the first bell ring. I have looked over the
subscription paper which was used in securing money
for the bell, and it clearly indicates that the strongest
descriptions which we have heard of its powers were not
in the least overdrawn. So much was it loved that some
of its metal must be placed in the bell now upon the
town house. The first name on the subscription paper
was that of Col. Oliver Brown, brave in service and truth.
As we speak of this faithful bell which hung in the
tower of Chesterfield's first church we need to remember
that besides the calling of the people together on Sun-
days it had other duties to perform which carried sorrow-
ful notes across the hills and far beyond the river, and
that sometimes these notes were many: I refer to the
custom of tolling the bell whenever any one died in the
town. This was never omitted. There was a stroke of
the bell for each year of the deceased person's life ; this
custom prevails still in some of our New England towns.
It was last heeded here on the death of one of our aged
citizens in 1892. Many deplore the discontinuance of
this custom, especially the old people. They say pathet-
ically, or in a tone in which there is a hint of rebuke,
" The people are so careless that often a person has been
buried a week befere I have even heard of it ! In the
old days we heard of this to the far limits of the town,
and it was thought the decent thing then to go to the
funerals of old neighbors." I have said that there were
many strokes some days which rang out on the air,
and you know well how long some of the fathers and
mothers came up this hill to listen to the word of God,
and yet one who carefully looks over our old cemetery

5
will be surprised to sec how many little ones were called
up to the shining hills. There was a strong hand laid
on the bell rope. Far away rolled two or three clear
notes. But how fast the tears of the mother fell ! it was
to her as if the bell struck a hundred peals, and often she
heard them in the bright days and still summer nights
Ond — two — three !

As we turn to inspect more carefully the work of
this old Congregational Church and Society it would
appear that services were held as soon as the church
building could be used, perhaps before the walls were
fully covered, for this often happened in the early days,
for other things the hearts of the fathers and mothers
away from the old home scenes could wait ; but for the
church and voice of praise and prayer they could not de-
lay. It may be, too, that the first meetings in the town
where a few men and women knelt together to ask God
to help them. We find, however, that John Eliot was
on probation in Chesterfield soon after the erection of
the first church building. The people liked him, as well
they might, with such a name as that of John Eliot.
But for some reason which is wholly unknown to us at
this far day he at once declined their invitation to be
their pastor. The message was given in the clear, de-
cisive language of those times, and the people knew
that after that they need not stop to parley with him.
Down through the mighty trees he rode, but no shade
of discouragement rested on the faces or hearts of the
firsUsettlers here. It may perhaps be well for us to
pause and read this first ministerial letter in the history
of our church and of our town. Since it is directed to
the officers of the town, there may have been as yet no
formal organization of a church : this is the letter bear-
ing the inscription: "Chesterfield, 20th January, 1772.
To the Selectmen of Chesterfield in the Province

of New Hampshire:

Gentlemen :

I have received a call from the in-
habitants of Chesterfield to settle among them, in the
Gospel ministry, and having taken the same into most
serious consideration, for various and most important
reasons that have their residence in my breast, you re-
ceive an answer to said call in the negative; so, wishing
that all the dealings of Divine Providence might be
sanctified to you and the people of this place, I rest
yours in the fellowship of the Gospel,

John Eliot."

It would seem that at once the people set about
finding a minister for their church, for soon we find
among these hills a young man of 24 years, from Sud-
bury, Mass., the place from which some of the early set-
tlers no doubt came hither. This is the Rev. Abram
Wood, who tarried here as sole pastor of the church for
half a century. On the 12th of October, 1772, he was
invited by the town to the pastorate of the church and
on the 17th of the following November 1772, he wrote
his letter of acceptance. It is rather too long to be
quoted here, but you may find it in. the history of the
town, and it will be well for you to study its earnest
spirit of dependence of the leadings of the Divine Spirit.
Not till he had entered upon the fifty-first year of his
ministry did he have any assistance in his labors. Hav-
ing become, a few months before his death, unable to
attend to his pastoral duties, Rev. John Walker was in-
stalled as colleague pastor April 30, 1823.

Mr. Wood, however, retained his ministry until his
death, which took place October 18, of that same year,
1823. During his pastorate 324 persons united with
this church, either by profession of faith or by letter, in-
cluding those members when he was ordained. Of

this number ['3l were males and 193 were females.
The number of persons baptised was 765. The largest
number baptised in one year was 64. This was the
year 1819, and shows plainly how the work of this good
man went on with increasing power. His locks were
now thin and white, but no one says he has crossed that
line where he ceases to be useful. His helpfulness is
seen still more clearly if we remember that in that same
year of 1S19, 47 persons were admitted to the church,
which was the largest number ever admitted in one year
of its then shining history. At the time of Mr. Wood's
death the church had 113 members, and 8 more were
admitted'during the year.

For the first nineteen years of his ministry Mr.
Wood received an annual salary of sixty-five pounds.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1792, it was vot-
ed to make the salary eighty pounds. From 1800 to
181 2 the average sum was raised yearly by taxation, for
the support of preaching was about $275.

As we meet here to day with grateful hearts before
the Father of all mercies we cannot but feel, as we re-
view the history of this church since this building was
first planned, that, though its erection and continual
work have meant so much of care and burden, we have
still great reason to feel that the labor has been richly
rewarded in the faithfulness of those who before this al-
tar have sincerely confessed their faith in theiiiLord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ. All such have steadily grown in
grace and in usefulness in the Master's vineyard. Some
of these we have seen enter triumphantly into the eter-
nal rest. Some have gone to work in larger fields in
this and other states, but their words of cheer and their
gifts remind us how dear was this home church to them
and that so it will ever continue to be. Others are still
with us to whom we never turn without finding them

8

ready to assist in all that is for the true upbuilding of
the church. And the signs of cheer which we find in
these is, and ever has been, well exemplified in those
who have united with the church by letter. Many of
these came from large churches, but helped here with a
cheer which meant much in the face of the many dificul-
ties which they found in the presence of the few, though
very bright, encouragements. Such have not only kept
their faith aglow but have kindled faith in other hearts
in a manner that gave assurance that it would burn stead-

The struggles which preceded the building and ded-
ication of this, the second church building in Chesterfield
were many. Happily the traces of most of these have
been entirely erased in the fleeting years. But one proof
of this remains in the very meagre bit of land on which
the church stands. This admitted the erection of a
house upon the south side of it in such a close proximity
that it shut out the light in large measure and led to
much annoyance during the services from time to time.
Plainly this way should not have been left open for a man
to express his hatred of the church. From this house
the church has been more than once endangered by fire.

This church was finally completed and occupied for
the first time in Nov., 1834. Not a month had passed a-
way before -the resignation of the pastor was read. He
was the l^ev. Elihu Smith, and had been installed on the
23d of May, 1832. Following him came Josiah Ballard
who was ordained on the 5th of August, 1835, but whose
pastoral relations with the church were dissolved in the
spring of 1836. From this date till 1842 preaching ser-
vices were conducted more or less regularly by Rev.
Hosea Beckley, On August 31, 1842, Rev. Benjamin
E. Hale was ordained as pastor. His work began in a
very encouraging manner, but was soon opposed by some

who had been adverse to the building of the church, and
was dismissed at his own request on Nov. 1 1, 1847. 1°
the five years which followed the church had no regular
pastor, but the work was kept up by the efforts of heroic
few. The next regular pastor was the Rev. Ebenezer
Newhall who, however, resigned in less than two years.
Then, for nearly four years, the work went on much as
it had before Mr. Newhall came, several of the members
attending the Methodist church, and some of these feel-
ing that the town could only sustain the one service.
Nearly all of these however, returned to this church
when, in April, 1858, Rev. Jeffries Hall began work as
pastor. His sermons were of a very direct and searching
character, and those he guided to the truth were of stal-
wart Christian growth indeed. He graduated at Am-
herst College in 1829, at Andover, Mass., Theological
Seminary in 1832, and ordained at Hopkinton, Mass., in
1833. He resigned his position as pastor in 1866, but
still resided in the town until his death. He is buried
in the Old South Church Cemetery at Andover, Mass.
Before Mr. H all's resignation the services were sustain-
ed only by great effort, after his work closed the church
entered upon a long period of shadow in which the
building itself was much neglected and only a very few
wrere left of the membership. These constantly believed
that the Lord would again revive his work, though many
triumphant scoffers said, we knew this building was not
of the Lord, and it will crumble to the ground. Some
offered to buy it as a shop or store house. This was
sturdily refused. The wisdom of this course was seen
in the fall of 1883 when the Rev. Albert E. Hall began
work as pastor.

Mr. Hall's work was preceded by three months'
work bv Mr. Shaw, a student of Andover, Mass. Semi-
nary. This was the first preaching which had been in

IO

the church in many years. There were at this date but
five members of the church left, and only two of these
could attend services by reason of old age, and by living
remote from the place of meeting. The enterprise of
establishing the worship of God in t.he house of the
fathers originated in the hearts of a few courageous folk
most of whom were women, who believed that the Lord
would help those who tried to help themselves, and who
were determined to do their best. In justice to many
more in the town of Chesterfield it may be said that,
when the enterprise was fairly inaugurated and it was
seen that it might succeed, willing hands were reached
forth and the owners of them worked with their might.
Through the efforts of the Ladies' Society the church
was rescued from dilapidation, was newly shingled, the
outside painted, and otherwise repaired. During the
spring of 1883 the ladies began work upon the interior
of the church, repairing the windows, painting the seats
and walls, and carpeting the aisles. Just at this time,
the organ, which is still used in the church, was present-
ed to it by friends in Hinsdale, N. H., who had formerly
been residents in Chesterfield. Mr. John B. Fiske had
much to do in securing this very helpful gift. Later,
there was given to the church, apparatus for properly
lighting the church and lamps for use in the vestibule.
Steadily and hopefully this work went forward from day
to day. Best of all was the spirit of harmony which pre-
vailed-among the workers for the Master, and which
seemed constantly giving it light and cheer throughout
the town. The attendance at church grew in a very
happy manner, the Sabbath School became a source of
great power, and the prayer tneetings were very helpful
in all ways. On the 12th of December, 1883, the pastor
Rev. Mr. Hall, wrote, "It is evident that the Lord is in
this work, and the promise for the future of this church

1 1

is decidedly encouraging."

Mr. Hall's work in the church had begun Nov. i,
1883, and the signs of hope which he saw were realized
in the months which followed in a very glorious manner
At the communion service Dec. 2nd, 1883, ten members
were received into church membership, half of these on
confession of faith. Several of these became workers
for the Master whose light was .never dim; Mrs. Hannah
Atherton Goodrich was one of these and in sickness and
trial her faith was ever strong. Mrs. Martha Saulisbury
was another whose helpfulness will never be forgotton.
Another was Mrs. Celissa M. Stoddard, who was receiv-
ed by letter from the Congregational Church at Walpole,
N. H., and her good works have been of precious help
in all forms of church work. She has lived to see her
children become devoted members of the church, and
she is seldom absent from our services, though the jour-
ney to church is no slight one.

On January 6, 1884, nine more friends were admit-
ted to church membership, one of them, Mrs. Otis Saff-
ord, was, until just before her death, one of the most
faithful Bible scholars and attentive listeners in the
church.

The church continued to grow in a very encourag-
ing manner, and the Sabbath School was a source of joy
to all. On Sunday evening, July 5th, the School gave
a Concert Exercise, "Jesus, the Light of the World,"
which was finely presented to a large audience. The
clerk of the church writes at this time, " The School has
received a new impulse from monthly concerts, and is
increased in members and effectiveness."

During this time services had been carried on in a
very encouraging manner at Factory Village, now Spoff-
ord, N. H. In January, 1886, the clerk writes, "Prayer
meetings are held in both villages each week, and both

12

Sunday Schools are prosperous and interesting. Feel-
ino- o-rateful for the blessings which have been bestowed
upon us as a church ; and as individuals, we would pray
to the giver of all good that these may continue through
the coming year."

On January, 1887, the clerk writes, "The church
has prospered well during the past year. All the church
services have been well remembered, still there seemed
to be a feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of some to-
ward the minister, but the Society extended a call to
him, which was ratified by the church."

In the last of these words is the first note of discord
which is found in the church records during the work
of one of the Master's most faithful servants. Those
who had been displeased with the work which was,
preaching to every farm on the hills finding they could
influence one here and there, kept upon the work until
the grieved pastor, whose labors had been so incessant
read his resignation at the this, the Center Church. He
however, preached at the Factory some time longer, and
there received some very useful members to the church.

Many a year has since slipped by, but no one can
visit among the people in either village, or upon the
farms east or west, without finding the proofs of the good
work wrought by Mr. Hall, who had been truly guided
of God in his work. In this time of service 31 members
were added to the church, and the hope in God planted
in many others who later on came to confess Him before
the altar. There are those here who still remember
their old pastor with the deepest gratitude.

On the 8th of May, 1888, Rev. John W. Barron was
called to the pastorate of the church and his letter of ac-
ceptance was dated May 15, 1888. He was ordained
and installed as pastor of the church on the 29th of June
following. On September 26, 1889, Mr. Barron's letter

13

of resignation was read and duly accepted on the 8th
of the following October. During the time of Mr. Bar-
ron's labor some very helpful members were added to the
church. Mrs. Elvira Puffer and Mrs. Rose Safford be-
ing of that number and every ready to help in all things
for the good of the church-? Mrs. Puffer has now passed
to her eternal reward, but is warmly and tenderly re-
membered by all who knew of her faith and hope. Mrs.
Safford has been our organist for many years, and of
great help in the Sunday School work.

During this pastorate a parsonage was purchased
at Factory Village by the generosity of friends here and
in other towns. This was indeed a great step in ad-
vance.

The next record which follows the dismission of
Mr. Barron from the pastorate of the church is as fol-
lows : " The church was without services from October
1889, to January, 1890, when Rev. A. T. Hillman sup-
plied the church for two Sabbaths, after which, arrange-
ments were made with Rev. George W. Ruland of
Westmoreland, N. H., to preach at the Factory Village
Sabbath afternoons, Mr. Ruland also preached in the
church from time to time, At the close of his labors
Rev. Mr. B. W. Pennock was acting pastor of the
church for some nine months. The outlook seemed
very discouraging to him, owing to the removal .to
Keene, N. H., of much of the business at the Factory.
Several members moved away, or were planning to leave.
Some services by Seminary students were conducted
from time to time as they had been at the close of other
pastorates. This continued until the present pastor
Kev. Mr. Chas. N. Sinnet was sent to take the place
by Rev. Mr. Hillman, Secretary of the N. H. Home
Missionary Society.

The pastor remembers well the dark 4th of June,

H

1 89 1, when he met here a little handful of people and
listened to their discouraging reports in regard to keep-
ing open the church beyond the month of September
following. There had been no Sunday School for some
time, the prayer meetings had been abandoned and it
seemed difficult to secure money for the benefit of the
church. But it was found that there were those of the
same stamp as the heroic few of 18S3, out of whose la-
bors had grown such a wonderful harvest. The congre-
gation increased, the Sunday School was inaugurated
with hope which has never deceived us, alid many are
the good prayer meetings which have been held.

It was thought best to continue the services for
three months after September, 1891, and then the limit
of work was extended to one year, and it has thus con-
tinued to the present date, when we find the old church
painted by the generosity of friends who gathered here
Old Home Day, and papered and beautified by the gen-
erosity of other friends; the leader in this work being
our ever valient and faithful Mrs. Mary C. Smith. Dur-
ing this period, new pew cushions have been purchased
of the Walpole, N. H. church, new Hymn Books given
by the First Congregational Church in Keene, and
many other tokens of progress seen. The work has
been reorganized at Spofford, with the largest Sunday
School ever gathered there, and an Endeavor Society
organized which promises much help for the church in
comino- days. Thirteen new members have been added
to the church, and some of these are of the sturdiest
type of Christianity.